Change is brewing. Semilla Cafe + Studio — at the forefront of a new wave of coffee shops opening in and around downtown Hartford since the pandemic — is teetering on closing, but its co-founders say they are fighting to keep open their vision for a “neighborhood living room” even if they have to step aside. The coffee shop and music venue will be getting new operators who plan to beef up Semilla’s breakfast and lunch menu, with a pledge to be open the hours that are listed on the web.
In addition, the shop will soon introduce mobile ordering on its web site, acknowledging that finding parking both on the street and in the lot behind the building at 1283 Main St. is often a problem for patrons. Semilla is located in a block of historic buildings just north of Dunkin’ Park , the city’s minor league ballpark and the massive North Crossing redevelopment development.
Elijah Hilliman, who co-founded Semilla will Aimee Chambers in 2021 , said Tuesday Semilla’s troubles aren’t tied to growing competition in Hartford’s coffee shop business. Semilla has suffered from its location in the city where it is difficult for pedestrians to navigate. Both Chambers and Hilliman will be transitioning out of running the coffee shop.
Kevin Joiner, an attorney and owner of KBarr, a bar and grill on Park Street, and Sade Erinfolami will take over the cafe’s operations. Semilla has successfully carved out a niche and vibe, creating a place where Black and brown residents, queer .
